The theme of Sunday’s Ford EcoBoost 400 is lasts. But not only with regards to Dale Earnhardt Jr., Matt Kenseth and Danica Patrick’s final starts as full-time Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series drivers.
The 267-lap race at Homestead-Miami Speedway also will be the last time Chase Elliott wheels the No. 24 Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports. So ahead of the race, Elliott posted a picture on Instagram of himself and Jeff Gordon, saying “it’s been a great honor” to sport the iconic numbers for the last two years.
Although Elliott will still race for HMS in 2018, he will drive a new No. 9, the same number his father, NASCAR Hall of Famer Bill Elliott, drove during his career. Hendrick will drop the No. 5 from its three-car lineup, and Kasey Kahne’s replacement, William Bryon, instead will drive the No. 24.
